Bickerdyke, Mary (Ball) Ann 'Mother' b. July 19, 1817 d. November 8, 1901Civil War Union Army Nurse. She was born Mary Ann Ball and passed around to family members because of the early death of her parents, first to grandparents and then to an uncle. At 30, she married Robert Bickerdyke, a sign painter and musician who was a widower with children. An early abolition activist, she transported escaping slaves in his wagon. Soon after moving to Galesburg, Illinois, Robert died. A member of the Galesburg Congregational Church, she was active in providing support to the...[Read More] (Bio by: Paul S.)Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA

King, Edward John b. July 1, 1867 d. February 17, 1929US Congressman. He was admitted to the bar in 1893 and opened a law practice in Galesburg, Illinois. In 1893 and 1894, he was the Galesburg City Attorney and a member of the State House of Representatives, 1907 to 1914. In 1915, he was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fourth and to the six succeeding Congresses and served until his death. (Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)Hope Cemetery, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USAPlot: Hope Abbey Mausoleum

McClure, S. (Samuel Sidney) S. b. February 17, 1857 d. March 21, 1949American Publisher. Subject of the book “Success Story, The Life and Times of S.S. McClure” by Peter Lyon. Samuel McClure was a Scotch-Irish immigrant who entered the American publishing world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was described as a "genius" who had a revolutionary impact on the country’s newspapers and magazines and he was considered a major participant in the progressive reform movement of the early 20th century. Samuel McClure was born in northern Ireland in February...[Read More] (Bio by: Marty)Hope Cemetery, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA

Post, Philip Sidney b. March 19, 1833 d. January 6, 1895Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. At the start of the Civil War, he was a lawyer in practice in Kansas, when he enlisted in the Union and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 59th Illinois Volunteer Regiment. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted Colonel in command of the 59th Illinois Infantry Brigade in 1862. In actions at the Battle of Nashville on December 16, 1864, Colonel Post led his brigade in an attack upon a strong Confederate position at Overton Hill...[Read More] (Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)Hope Cemetery, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USAPlot: Lot 95

Sandburg, Carl b. January 6, 1878 d. July 22, 1967Author. Poet. Carl Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois. He was born the son of Swedish immigrants, August and Clara Anderson Sandburg. He was the second of seven children and was called Charlie by his family. He quit school after graduating from the eighth grade in 1891. The next few years he worked a variety of jobs. He spent some time traveling as a hobo while honing his writing and political views. He volunteered for service in the Spanish-American War in 1898. When he returned home...[Read More] (Bio by: Jane Stacy Eubanks)Cause of death: Heart AttackCarl Sandburg Birthplace, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA

Swanson, Ernest Evar b. October 15, 1902 d. July 17, 1973Major League Baseball Player. He was an outfielder for five seasons in the major leagues. He played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1929 to 1930 and the Chicago White Sox from 1932 to 1934. He compiled a .303 career batting average and batted in 170 runs. He was one of the fastest men in baseball, setting a record for circling the bases that still stands. He also was a running back for three different teams in a four-year career in the National Football League. He played for the Milwaukee Badgers...[Read More] (Bio by: Mel Bashore)Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USAGPS coordinates: 41.0121422, -90.3843536 (hddd.dddd)

Thompson II., Edward Lee b. March 14, 1914 d. July 16, 1979Mr. Thompson was a left-handed pitcher in the Negro League Baseball. He played for the Winona Merchants in Winona, Minn, the Kansas City Monarchs and the Chicago American Giants. Some of his team mates were Satchell Paige, James "Cool" Pappa Bell, and many others. He also was a Chef for several notable establishments such as Harbor Light's Supper Club, Jimmie Foxx's Restaurant, Sheraton Inn, and Lorraine's in Illinois and the New Pines in Middleton, Wisconsin. He was married to Willie Mae (...[Read More] (Bio by: brian thompson)East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA